SEND Teaching Assistant – Career Changers Welcome
Location: Brent, North West London
Pay: £95–£100 per day PAYE
Job Type: Full time, Monday to Friday
Start Date: ASAP
About the role
You do not need years of classroom experience to become a great SEND Teaching Assistant.
In fact, some of the most effective people in SEND education have come from completely different careers.
If you have worked in care, youth work, sports coaching, residential support, hospitality, customer service, mentoring or another people-focused role, you may already have the qualities schools value most: patience, resilience, empathy, communication and the ability to stay calm when things become challenging.
We are recruiting SEND Teaching Assistants in Brent and are particularly interested in hearing from people looking to move into education and build a meaningful career supporting children and young people.
What does the role involve?
Working alongside teaching staff, you will help pupils access learning, manage the school day and develop greater confidence and independence.
You may be:
- Supporting pupils one-to-one or in small groups
- Helping pupils stay engaged during lessons
- Breaking tasks into manageable steps
- Providing reassurance when pupils become anxious or overwhelmed
- Supporting communication and social development
- Helping pupils regulate their emotions
- Supporting routines and transitions
- Encouraging independence and confidence
- Working closely with teachers and SEND professionals
- Recognising and celebrating individual progress
You are not expected to know everything from day one.
What matters is your attitude, willingness to learn and ability to build positive relationships with young people.
Could your experience transfer into SEND?
We would particularly welcome applications from people with backgrounds in:
- Care and support work
- Youth work and mentoring
- Mental health support
- Residential care
- Sports coaching
- Psychology or other graduate backgrounds
- Hospitality and customer-facing roles
- Performing arts
- Childcare and children's activities
If your previous career has involved supporting people, maintaining boundaries, managing difficult situations or building trust, those skills can transfer extremely well into SEND education.
Essential
- Genuine interest in working with children or young people with SEND
- Patience and emotional maturity
- Strong communication skills
- Reliability and professionalism
- Willingness to learn from experienced school staff
- Ability to commit to full-time work
Desirable
- Previous experience with children or young people
- Care, mentoring or support work experience
- Knowledge or experience of SEND
- Psychology, education, youth work or related qualifications
Why move into SEND?
SEND education can offer something that many careers cannot: the opportunity to see the impact of your work directly.
Progress might be helping a pupil remain in a lesson, communicate how they are feeling, manage a difficult situation or develop a skill they previously struggled with.
It can be challenging, but for the right person it can also be the start of a rewarding long-term career.
Why Parker Smith Inclusion?
Parker Smith Inclusion specialises in SEND recruitment and understands that moving into education can be a significant career change.
We provide honest advice about the settings that could suit your experience, transparent PAYE placements and ongoing support throughout your assignment.
Easily commutable from
Brent, Wembley, Willesden, Harlesden, Neasden, Kilburn, Cricklewood, Kingsbury, Kenton, Harrow, Ealing, Acton, Northolt, Greenford, Hendon and surrounding areas of North West and West London.
Interested?
You do not need to have followed a traditional education career path.
If you are reliable, patient and genuinely interested in supporting young people, we would like to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Daniel at Parker Smith Inclusion to discuss the SEND Teaching Assistant opportunities available in Brent and how your previous experience could transfer into education.
Email: daniel@psinclusion.co.uk
SEND Teaching Assistant Brent | SEN Teaching Assistant Jobs Brent | Teaching Assistant Jobs North West London | SEND Jobs London | SEN TA Jobs London | Career Changer Teaching Assistant | Teaching Assistant Career Change | Autism Teaching Assistant | Special Needs Teaching Assistant | Learning Support Assistant Jobs | Behaviour Support Teaching Assistant | Care Worker to Teaching Assistant | Youth Worker Teaching Assistant | Graduate Teaching Assistant Jobs | Psychology Graduate SEND Jobs | Specialist Education Jobs | SEND Support Worker Jobs | Teaching Assistant Jobs West London
Safeguarding: Parker Smith Inclusion is committed to safeguarding children and young people. Successful candidates will be subject to appropriate vetting, references and an enhanced DBS check where applicable.